The Block 2026, at a glance (we know you didn’t scroll for the essay)
| Season | 22 |
| Location | Mount Eliza, Mornington Peninsula |
| Starts | Sunday 2 August 2026, 7pm, Channel Nine |
| Hosts | Scott Cam and Shelley Craft |
| Judges | Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox |
| Notable first | First water view location in 22 seasons |
Questions people actually ask us
Season 22 Update
“Have a look at that view there. It’s been 22 seasons of The Block, and we’ve never had a water view before.”
Scott Cam, addressing the 2026 contestants on arrival at Mount Eliza
The Block 2026 premieres Sunday 2 August 2026 on Channel Nine and 9Now.
The Location: Mount Eliza, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
The Block 2026 is set in Mount Eliza, a leafy waterfront suburb on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, roughly 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s CBD. It is one of the Peninsula’s most sought-after postcodes, known for its coastal reserves, private beach access and prestige property market.
Filming began in March 2026 and has now officially wrapped. The production marks a deliberate shift back toward premium suburban real estate, after the 2025 season in Daylesford drew criticism that its location did not support the reserve prices set by the show’s producers.
A production insider described the 2026 season as “one of the most premium yet,” with reserve prices expected to exceed the controversial $2.99 million figure that attracted significant backlash following the 2025 auction.
Quick Facts: The Block 2026
- Season
- 22
- Location
- Mount Eliza, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
- Filming period
- March 2026 (now wrapped)
- Premiere
- Sunday 2 August 2026 on Channel Nine and 9Now
- Expected auction
- October or November 2026
- Hosts
- Scott Cam and Shelley Craft
- Judges
- Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox
- Foreman
- Dan Reilly
- Number of teams
- Five
- Notable first
- First water view location in the show’s 22-year history
Returning Hosts, Judges and Foreman
Channel Nine has confirmed the return of the full regular cast for the 2026 season. All were spotted at the Mount Eliza site during the lead-up to filming.
- Scott Cam (Host): returning despite earlier rumours he might depart. Cam confirmed he is “definitely” back for 2026.
- Shelley Craft (Host): no news of any departure; confirmed returning alongside Cam.
- Darren Palmer (Judge): spotted on the Mount Eliza set. Has since launched a new series called 1 Euro House, in which he and Shaynna Blaze renovate a property in Sicily.
- Shaynna Blaze (Judge): confirmed back on the panel.
- Marty Fox (Judge): confirmed returning. Has recently announced the expansion of his Whitefox real estate agency into Dubai.
- Dan Reilly (Foreman): returning after the birth of a new baby. He and wife Dani celebrated the end of filming by taking their newborn Fletcher for a walk around the Mount Eliza set.
The Block 2026 Contestants
Channel Nine confirmed the five competing teams in the first trailer for the season, aired during the State of Origin decider on 8 July 2026. The teams are introduced by house colour:
- Lisa and Rosco (yellow team, WA)
- Adam and Jolene (red team, SA)
- Rick and Tayla (green team, VIC)
- Chantel and Wyatt (blue team, QLD)
- Sev and Courtney (pink team, QLD)
Official surnames and cast bios have not yet been released by Nine. Earlier reporting has linked surnames to most of the teams, and we break down everything known (and how much of it is actually confirmed) in our full guide: The Block 2026 contestants: meet the five teams.
This page will be updated as Channel Nine releases official cast details.
The Block 2025 Recap: Daylesford, Victoria
The 2025 season was set in Daylesford in country Victoria, with five houses built from scratch on the same floor plan. The five teams were Emma and Ben, Han and Can, Robby and Mat, Alicia and Sonny, and Britt and Taz.
Winners: Britt and Taz, West Australian police officers, took home a $520,000 cash prize. “That’s paid off our mortgage. It’s life-changing,” Britt said on auction day. Their winning home has since been converted into an Airbnb.
Auction result: The finale was one of the most difficult in 14 years. Only three of the five teams sold their homes on the day. Han and Can’s house passed in, and Emma and Ben also walked away without prize money.
Reserve controversy: All five reserves were set at $2.99 million, drawing significant criticism. One selling agent said publicly that $3 million was “the absolute limit for most bidders” in that market, describing Daylesford as “a third-grade location” for that price point. The homes from the 2025 season had still not all sold as of early 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Block 2026 start?
The Block 2026 starts on Sunday 2 August 2026 at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now, confirmed in the official trailer released 9 July 2026. It is Season 22 of the show.
Where is The Block 2026 filmed?
The Block 2026 is filmed at Mount Eliza on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, approximately 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. It is Season 22 of the show and the first time in its 22-year history that the location features a water view.
When does The Block 2026 premiere on Channel Nine?
The Block 2026 premieres on Sunday 2 August 2026 on Channel Nine and 9Now, as confirmed in the official trailer released on 9 July 2026. The auction finale is expected in late October or November 2026. Read our full premiere date and trailer breakdown.
Where will The Block 2026 contestants live?
In a series first, all five teams will live together under one roof for the entire build, replacing the tents and caravans of past seasons. Read more about the shared house twist.
Who are the hosts and judges on The Block 2026?
Scott Cam and Shelley Craft return as hosts. The judging panel is Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox. Dan Reilly returns as Foreman.
Who are the contestants on The Block 2026?
Nine confirmed the five teams in the first trailer on 8 July 2026: Lisa and Rosco (yellow), Adam and Jolene (red), Rick and Tayla (green), Chantel and Wyatt (blue), and Sev and Courtney (pink). Official surnames and bios are yet to be released.
What season number is The Block 2026?
The Block 2026 is Season 22.
Who won The Block 2025?
Britt and Taz won The Block 2025, which was set in Daylesford, Victoria. They took home a $520,000 cash prize. Their winning home has since been converted into an Airbnb.
Page update log: 10 June 2026: Page created. Location confirmed as Mount Eliza, VIC. Filming wrapped. Cast confirmed. Contestants not yet officially announced by Channel Nine. 12 July 2026: Premiere date confirmed as Sunday 2 August 2026. Five teams named in Nine’s first trailer; contestants section updated. Last verified: 12 July 2026.
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